Quick Links

Your work search is a chance to explore exciting new possibilities. Make the best of this opportunity! Get help writing your resumé or cover letter, learn how to network and prepare for your interview, and check out job search resources and labour market information.

Alberta Supports Contact Centre

Midwife

Midwives are primary health care providers. They are considered experts in normal pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. They are trained to order and interpret tests and discuss results. They also screen for physical, psychological, emotional, and social health issues. They are trained to refer to medical and other specialists when needed.

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

Interest in analyzing data for the purpose of counselling and educating women concerning diet and pre-natal health practices; and in reassuring patients and providing emotional support during labour and the post-natal period

INNOVATIVE

Interest in operating medical equipment to examine patients and monitor fetuses during labour; and in conducting normal deliveries

DIRECTIVE

Interest in instructing patients on how to care for themselves and their infants; and in providing ongoing advice and support

Reading Interest Codes

A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.

Registered midwives in Alberta hold a bachelor of midwifery degree. Once registered, all midwives must complete continuing education requirements as set by the CMA. Currently, this includes regular recertification of CPR, obstetrical emergency skills, and neonatal resuscitation.

Additional Information

Midwife

Midwives provide comprehensive prenatal, labour, birth and postpartum care to clients experiencing normal pregnancy, and provide counselling, education and emotional support related to the clients' physical, psychological and social needs.

Legislation

Midwife is a protected title under Alberta's Health Disciplines Act and Midwifery Regulation. To call yourself a Midwife or practice as a Midwife, you must be registered by the Midwifery Health Disciplines Committee. Registered members provide health services listed in the Regulation.

What You Need

Registration requires successful completion of: (1) an approved midwifery or refresher program within a specified time period prior to application, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, and (2) an approved examination. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, visit the Alberta Health website or contact the Registrar for Midwives.

Working in Alberta

Midwives who are registered by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if registered practitioners in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see "What if I am already certified in another province or territory?" and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).

To find more information on the certification process for internationally educated midwives see Midwife Registration Process on the AlbertaCanada.com website.

Contact Details

In Alberta, midwives are self-employed. They have hospital privileges in designated Alberta Health Services facilities across Alberta.

Midwives must have a reliable vehicle and the equipment required to practice midwifery.

Midwives are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3124: Allied primary health practitioners. In Alberta, 92% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf] industry.

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the Health Care and Social Assistance Industry)

location in Alberta

employment turnover (work opportunities that come up when people leave existing positions)

occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)

size of the occupation.

Midwifery is funded by Alberta’s health care system. Employment opportunities are expected to increase as midwifery services become funded in rural areas throughout Alberta.

Swipe left and right to view all data.Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

C: Lower Reliability

Data Reliability Code Definition

Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.

Updated Mar 31, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.